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No, its not a BMW nor even the VW Amarok () but it is a real light truck (half ton pick up) diesel. Beginning in the third quarter of this year RAM will start selling their 1500 class truck in the US with the same VM Motori diesel that will be used in the Jeep GC here. Made great sense and it is surprising it took so long. If the truck approaches 30 mpg it will be a winner IMHO. As an aside the engine manufacturer is owned jointly by FIAT and GM -- so it doesn't stretch the imagination far to see perhaps some new diesel offerings in the General's stable as well! In any case for all of us that "love the smell of diesel in the morning" it is good news!

As an aside the engine manufacturer is owned jointly by FIAT and GM -- so it doesn't stretch the imagination far to see perhaps some new diesel offerings in the General's stable as well!

Both GM and Ford have sophisticated diesel designs sitting on the shelf for their trucks. Both decided a few years back that the added expense of a diesel engine coupled with the higher price of diesel would result in poor support in the marketplace, and put their projects on hold. Both can probably react fairly quickly should the Dodge prove to be a factor in the marketplace. Kudos to Dodge for giving it a shot - when you're third of 3, there's no reason not to try new things that might give you a bump in share and profit.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the new Ford Transit (full size van) that will be built in Ohio will offer a 5 cylinder diesel as an option. I *think* production starts later this year.

Both GM and Ford have their "own" diesels -- but they are not certified yet. The VM diesel is certified here (and if does well) it makes sense for GM to jump on that -- since they own half the factory. Ford in the meantime is having to deal with Navistar (International Harvester) for their "small" diesel -- the 5 cyl is from the Ford Europe parts bin I suspect -- as was the Dodge Sprinter's 5 cyl from M-B's bin. Cummins is still locked up to Dodge for the heavy duty stuff, so their 6 cyl "light" diesel is unvailable. Anyway, diesels are great and we are all better served by having more on the road IMHO.

Yes, there will be a diesel CRUZ this year. The point here is that we have never had a shot at a full size truck with a light duty diesel in the states. Only european SUVs/SAVs. I wonder if the Amarok block will continue now that 1 of the big 3 is getting on stage? It will be curious what sort of final drive ratio that it gets along with transmission choice. My DodgeRam has a 3.55:1 rear diff. Hoping this one coming gets somethig taller to stretch the fuel. 3.08 would be good to keep the revs down at highway speed. The rear diff ratio is one fundamental reason sedans get better mileage than diesel SUVs. The CRD equipped JGC used the 3.08 but only had a rating of 23 mpg. A 5000 # Ram will likely struggle to get into the upper 20 mpg range but hopefully they will try.

A while back Mahindra & Mahindra Limited of India was going to bring a small diesel pickup to the U.S. market -- dealers were signed up and everything. Then Mahindra and the U.S. "distributor" got into a legal squabble. I have no idea where things stand presently.

In the States, Ford has put its money on their EcoBoost -- Turbo/GDI technology to achieve better fuel economy with reasonable torque using regular grade gas. While, in what is euphemistically referred to as the developing world, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a small diesel pickup.

Both GM and Ford have their "own" diesels -- but they are not certified yet. The VM diesel is certified here (and if does well) it makes sense for GM to jump on that -- since they own half the factory. Ford in the meantime is having to deal with Navistar (International Harvester) for their "small" diesel -- the 5 cyl is from the Ford Europe parts bin I suspect -- as was the Dodge Sprinter's 5 cyl from M-B's bin. Cummins is still locked up to Dodge for the heavy duty stuff, so their 6 cyl "light" diesel is unvailable. Anyway, diesels are great and we are all better served by having more on the road IMHO.

Navistar built the small diesel that Ford ended up putting into the Range Rovers? I thought after the 6.0L fiasco between Navistar and Ford that Ford quickly got divorced from the company. Reason I ask is I thought the last time spy photos of an F150 diesel were released is when all the forums/websites said Ford ultimately decided not to use the engine in US based trucks but was going to be used in a Range Rover.

WOW Im surprised with this news I would of bought the AMAROk before the RAm cause the 2 liter DIESEL is the same engine on the GOLF TDi's and its a proven power plant unlike the RAm using the VM which relatively new to our market and suspect will have to go thru the same BS stringient air quality controls.

I will have to check but it appears that Ford is going the gas small displacement turbo route for their "economical" trucks (ecoboost) not diesel. They did have trouble(!) with the injectors and head cracking in the NaviStars. I know they had a contract with Navistar that kept them locked in until 2010, and the small diesel that was on the shelf may not have been able to meet emissions standards here (thanks CARB) so went to RR. Their new Power Stroke (2011 on) is a Ford product. Cummins also had a small diesel as does CAT (wouldn't THAT be something to drive - a CAT diesel pickup!!!!) but emissions seem to be the stumbling block for all of them. GM also had a small diesel in the works but that was put on hold in 2009. Makes me wonder if GM are thinking about using this VM since it is certified and all. In the meantime this RAM 1500 V6 turbo diesel is on the way and seems like the real deal -- I hope it works out.

Sweet conversion! Just what Jeep should have made -- but didn't! Out here on the left coast the dreaded CARB would have a fit if we tried that. Did you have any problem with the Iowa emissions Nazi's? Looks like a perfect little rock crawler too!

Sweet conversion! Just what Jeep should have made -- but didn't! Out here on the left coast the dreaded CARB would have a fit if we tried that. Did you have any problem with the Iowa emissions Nazi's? Looks like a perfect little rock crawler too!

No emission tests here. But the tier 2 compliant B3.3T is way better than the carbureted pre tier 1 inline 6 gas engine it replaced.

The Tacoma has a diesel -- sort of -- but its not sold here. Its called the HiLux and is a mainstay of everywhere else that needs a really rugged truck. Nissan has a similar counterpoint -- the Patrol, again a diesel that is a true utility vehicle. GM even has a diesel Colorado (mid size truck) that is widely sold in South America -- and probably elsewhere, and Ford's Ranger also is diesel powered for export. Of course we all know about the VW Amarok and the "chicken tax". The RAM (which BTW is vastly improved over previous reiterations from most accounts) is at least a start in the right direction!